Assessment of infant and young child feeding practices of HIV positive mothers and its associated factors in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Mother-to-child transmission is the largest source of Human lmmuno-deficiency Virus infection in children. About one third of children infected are believed to be vertically during breast-feeding. infant feeding in the context of HIV is complex. HIV positive women are confused about feeding methods and mixed feeding continued to be widespread and little is known about feeding practice of HIV positive mothers in the study area. Objective: To assess Infant and young child feeding practices of HIV positive mothers and associated factors in selected health institutions, of South Gondar Zone, west Amhara. Methods: An institutional based cross sectional study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. HIV positive mothers having children less than 24 months in South Gondar Zone was randomly selected from PMTCT and AR.T service providing health institutions. Samples were proportionally distributed according to their number of cases in each index health institution and each study sample were selected by simple rand~1T1 sampling method from the then sample frame. Data collection was carried out between July 2013 and September 2013. Data was entered to EPI Info 3.5.3 version and analysis was commenced after it is exported to SPSS. Fm multivariate logistic regression model P-value less than 0.2 was fitted, during those model fitting with p-value of <0.05 were considered as significant. Result: A total of 437 participants were recruited, of them 433 participated In the study making the response rate 09%J. Of all respondent, 401 (92.5%) reported . . that they ever had breastfeed the current. child, and of them 253 (62.G0/o) initiated breast feeding before one hour. Practice of exclusive breast feeding reported (70.4%), and mixed feeding was reported (20%) . .t\bouHJ5% of mothers received counseling on feeding options. Mothers who had delivered at health institution and information provide from health professional were more likely to practice exclusive breast feeding.